Cookies

Cookies are text files that either sit on your computer hard drive, or your browser's cache memory. These files are not computer programs, and can't cause any damage to your computer. They form an essential part in the creation of good user experience on many websites.

Persistent cookies
These files are created and stored on your computer's hard drive for a period of time to identify it to the site tracking tool. The cookie is not able to identify you as the individual user and doesn't attempt to collect any personal information. They contain the following:

• A uniquely generated random number - this is how we differentiate visitors.
• The date and time of the last visit to the website
• The expiry date of the cookie

Session cookies
Tools such as mortgage quote and savings application are spread over a number of screens. In order to complete the process, your browser must remember the information that you entered into previous screens. Session cookies are created and store this information for the duration of your visit to the website. They do not store anything on your computer's hard drive, or permanently record data. As soon as you leave the Britannia website, the cookie is deleted from your browser's cache memory.

Disabling cookies

By adjusting the settings of your browser, you can choose to accept persistent cookies from only the site that you are visiting (eg. www.britannia.co.uk), or third party sites (such as our web statistics tool as mentioned above), or both. You can also decide to to be informed when one is about to be placed on your computer.

Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 and 7

• select the 'tools' menu
• choose 'internet options'


• click on the 'privacy' tab


• select 'advanced settings' (or 'advanced' in Internet Explorer 7)
  

Internet Explorer 6 on Windows XP




Internet Explorer 7 on Windows Vista

• Tick the 'Override automatic cookie handling' box to enable the options.


• The 'Always allow session cookies' option will mean that, even though you may choose to disallow cookies being placed on your pc, you'll still be able to use our tools, such as the online mortgage application.

Mozilla Firefox 1.0 and 1.5

• select the 'tools' menu


• choose 'options'


• click on the 'privacy' tab

Mozilla Firefox 1.0 on Windows XP




Mozilla Firefox 1.5 on Windows XP

• from this screen you can set an 'exception' to allow cookies from britannia.co.uk, but block them from other sites.

Safari (Mac OSX)

• select 'preferences' from the Safari menu


• choose the 'security' tab

Safari on Mac OSX

• from this screen you can choose to always allow cookies, never allow them, or only allow them from the website that you are visiting (which means that advertisers' cookies would not be accepted).

If you aren't using any of the above, consult the help section on your internet browser.

Please note that if you disable cookies, you will not be able to use many of the tools within the Britannia website.